< Back

How to source talent on Reddit

Raymond Guo
Mar 22, 2023
How to source talent on Reddit image

Reddit is a popular website with a vast network of moderated forums known as subreddits. People use it to share content, ask questions, and engage in discussions on nearly any subject. Unlike other social networks, Reddit values discussions and ideas over likes, followers, and comments. This makes it unique and especially appealing to those looking to recruit passive candidates.

With over 430 million monthly active users, Reddit has more users than LinkedIn. However, the strict community rules and text-heavy layout can be daunting to recruiters who may feel discouraged from using the platform. To succeed on Reddit, recruiters must invest time in building personal connections with the community before promoting job openings.

One of the benefits of Reddit is that it has a vast community covering every topic imaginable, but it can be challenging to become part of the tight-knit community. Recruiters need to engage with the community, comment, and share information actively to build trust and establish themselves as valued members.

Recruiters targeting the tech industry can find Reddit particularly useful as it has a massive tech audience, with over 27 million unique monthly visitors to technology communities like r/technology, r/futurology, r/gadgets, and r/iphone. These subreddits are excellent places for recruiters to get to know potential candidates and understand what matters to them.

However, recruiters must be aware of Reddit's etiquette. Spamming is not appreciated, and recruiters who post only job descriptions without engaging with the community may face a ban. Recruiters must follow the same standards of behavior online that they follow in real life, establish a minimal personal connection, and build trust with the community before promoting job openings.

Recruiting tools for Reddit

If you're in search of highly skilled engineers, Reddit is a widely recognized platform that you can leverage. However, browsing through a multitude of profiles can be a daunting and time-intensive task. Luckily, there are Reddit recruiting tools that can help.

Noon is an incredibly useful resource that performs real-time searches on Reddit, LinkedIn, and GitHub to identify engineers who match your specific needs. Using advanced algorithms and automation, Noon simplifies the process of creating intricate search queries.

Furthermore, Noon streamlines the hiring process by automatically adding the candidates' contact information from various online sources directly to their profile. This feature eliminates the need to scour the internet for their contact details and facilitates a more efficient way to connect with potential candidates.

Use boolean search on Reddit

Recruiters can find highly qualified candidates on Reddit, making it a valuable resource despite the time investment required. Reddit users tend to have a higher level of education, making it an attractive option for entry-level and experienced positions alike. By analyzing user behavior and interests, recruiters can evaluate their expertise and suitability for specific roles.

However, the lack of detailed personal information available on profiles poses a challenge for recruiters. Nonetheless, by exploring different communities and using Boolean search strings, recruiters can find more information about a user's location, work experience, and other relevant factors. Although Boolean search strings might not cover all fields of profiles, they are still an effective way to identify potential candidates.

Recruiters unfamiliar with Boolean search can learn the basics from numerous available resources. By acquainting themselves with the principles of Boolean search and using the right search queries, they can quickly and easily locate top talent on Reddit.

For instance, some effective search strings for finding candidates on Reddit include:

Typescript AND Node.js AND “for hire” Bay Area Typescript AND Node.js “for hire” Bay Area Typescript AND Node.js (“for hire” OR “looking for a job” OR “searching for a job” OR “lost my job” OR “looking for new opportunities” OR “open to work” OR “open to new project”) (“Bay Area” OR “San Francisco” OR “California”)

Using Reddit communities to find candidates

Finding the perfect candidate for your company can pose a challenge, particularly when it comes to technology experts. Reddit is a vast online community that can offer a wealth of knowledge and resources to aid your recruitment efforts.

To start, you will need to locate relevant Reddit communities that are likely to have the type of candidate you're searching for. For example, if you're seeking software developers, you can check subreddits such as r/developers. This subreddit is a community of software developers that share their knowledge, experience, and solutions to problems.

Once you find a potential candidate, you can delve into their profile to learn more about them. Their profile contains a list of their posts and comments. This can give you a good idea of their expertise and whether or not they would be a good fit for your company.

If you cannot find the candidate's contact details on their profile, you can try searching their username on other social networks using Google. This can assist you in reaching out to them and possibly recruiting them for your company.

It is essential to remember that this process can be time-consuming, and there is no guarantee that you will find the perfect candidate. However, by utilizing the power of online communities like Reddit, you can increase your likelihood of finding the best talent for your company.

Contacting the candidates on Reddit

Have you ever come across a potential job candidate that you think would be a perfect fit for your company but are unable to contact them? It might be tempting to use unconventional means like social media, but it's crucial to be careful.

One way to grab their attention could be to use social currency. You could consider giving the candidate virtual rewards like Reddit Coins, which are used to appreciate outstanding posts and comments, or by upvoting their contributions that would add to their overall Karma score. This approach might increase the likelihood of them being receptive to initiating a conversation.

However, keep in mind that most individuals on Reddit do not anticipate being contacted by hiring managers. Therefore, it's preferable to reach out to potential candidates via other social media platforms. There are numerous recruiting solutions like Noon that can assist you in finding leads with contact details, including links to their social media accounts.

In conclusion, while searching for the right candidate, it's essential to explore all feasible channels while respecting their privacy and preferences. By adopting a strategic approach and utilizing the appropriate tools, you can enhance your chances of finding the ideal candidate for the job.